The US Navy intends to convert the islands of Tinian and Pagan (both within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) into live-fire training and bombing ranges. In response to this existential threat to their ancestral homelands, a cohort of Mariana Islands activists formed the Alternative Zero Coalition; they are currently leading a grassroots resistance movement against the military. The Alternative Zero Project explores their efforts, and the larger indigenous movement against militarization in the Pacific. This interview series is supported in part by the Institute of Journalism & Natural Resources and edited by Jack Doyle.

Ralph De La Rosa, LCSW, (he/they) is the author of two internationally published books. He is a psychotherapist in private practice, and seasoned meditation teacher known for his radically open and humorous teaching style.

His new book, Don't Tell Me to Relax: Emotional Resilience in the Age of Rage, Feels, and Freak Outs was named one of the “Best Books of 2020” by Mindful Magazine. This + Ralph’s bestselling 1st book, The Monkey Is the Messenger: Meditation and What Your Busy Mind Is Trying to Tell You is available wherever books are sold.

As a meditation teacher, Ralph’s work has been featured in The New York Post, CNN, Tricycle, GQ, SELF, Women’s Health, and many other publications and podcasts. He's was named one of Sonima's "Next Generation of Meditation Teachers to Watch,” and regularly offers retreats at venues such as Kripalu, Spirit Rock, and Omega Institute.

Ralph began practicing meditation in 1996 and has taught meditation since 2008. He was a student of Amma's for 16 years and began studying Buddhism in 2005. Today, he identifies simply as a practitioner and teacher of human spirituality. Most recently, he completed an invite-only advanced meditation teacher training with Jack Kornfield.

As a psychotherapist, Ralph is a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services. He trained in multiple modalities of trauma-focused therapy while working in NYC’s clinical foster care system. Today, his work integrates trauma theory, mindfulness, and somatic psychology. He is personally mentored by Richard Schwartz, developer of the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy.

Ralph himself is a PTSD, depression, and addiction survivor. His work is inspired by the tremendous transformation he has experienced through meditation, yoga, and therapy. 

Ralph is also a musician, storyteller, and outdoor enthusiast. He is currently training to audition for the television show American Ninja Warrior.

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